UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine
Statement delivered by H.E. Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania on behalf of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
11 April 2024, New York
President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the three Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia, and my own country, Lithuania. We also align ourselves with the statement of the European Union.
Thank you for convening today’s Security Council briefing. I thank the briefers for their presentations. We meet again to discuss humanitarian consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including Russia’s continued and increasing airstrikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
In sharp contrast to repeated pleas from all UN Security Council Member States in numerous briefings focusing on humanitarian issues and in violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law, Russia continues to turn the life of Ukrainian civilians into hell.
Throughout the last month Russia has used over 400 missiles, more than 600 “Shahed” drones, more than 3,000 guided areal bombs, including glide bombs, to attack Ukraine residential areas.
As it is stated in the recent report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas, including against hospitals and cultural objects, remain the leading cause of deaths and injuries among the civilian population in Ukraine.
The Commission continues to find new evidence of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, and corresponding war crimes in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The systemic killings, torture, ill-treatment, sexual and gender-based violence against civilians, as well as illegal transfer of children are all conducted by or under the control of Russian authorities.
We need to reiterate this – humanitarian needs in Ukraine remain high and the humanitarian aid remains indispensable, especially to millions of people in areas near the frontline. Humanitarian access is hindered by constant shelling and attacks, while Russian attacks continue to kill humanitarian workers who have rushed to help people in need. Ukraine is today the largest minefield in the world.
President
As evident in the currently ongoing General Assembly debate on Russia’s use of veto blocking the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee, Russia is happily willing to use its veto to sustain the illegal actions of its geopolitical “client” states who have become complicit in Russia´s war against Ukraine.
We condemn Iran, Belarus and the DPRK who are providing weapons and ammunition to Russia in its indiscriminate war against Ukraine and killing of civilians. We once again reiterate our call for a UN investigation on the weapons transfers and a report to the UN Security Council.
Full accountability for war crimes and the other international crimes committed in or against Ukraine should be ensured, including by the International Criminal Court.
The Baltic States strongly support the establishment of a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine to hold Russia´s political and military leadership accountable. We support the Council of Europe’s Register of Damage for Ukraine and its opening of the claims submission process last week in The Hague that is an important contribution to the future compensation mechanism.
During recent visit of Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to Vilnius, Riga and Tallin we reiterated our support to Ukraine. We will also do that here, at the UN, and in providing all needed assistance to Ukraine people and government, until victory.
President,
We must collectively condemn violations of international humanitarian law and demand accountability for those responsible. The Security Council must take decisive action to protect civilians and ensure unhindered access to humanitarian assistance. We urge the Security Council to take immediate steps to address the escalating violence and human suffering.
The Baltic States strongly condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter. We reiterate our full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and its inherent right of self-defense against the Russian aggression.
I thank you.